Summary
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Aaron Rai, an English golfer, pulled off a stunning victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship, defeating Tommy Fleetwood on the first playoff hole with a 10-foot birdie putt after carding a 5-under-par 67. Rai, returning from a two-month hiatus, celebrated his first win of the year and his third European Tour title, his first victory since beating Fleetwood at the 2020 Scottish Open. His first PGA Tour title came at the Wyndham Championship in August 2004.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, began the back nine at Yas Links with five consecutive birdies and closed with a 62, matching his best score on the European Tour. Although he finished one stroke behind, he extended his lead in the Race to Dubai, which concludes next week.
Fleetwood was seeking his third World Tour title in a memorable season, which includes a 4-1 record with the European Ryder Cup team. On the 16th hole, he sank a 15-foot birdie putt and then a 15-foot par putt on the 17th to remain tied with Rai. Both players missed birdie opportunities on the par-5 18th, and Fleetwood finished with a 66, tying Rai at 25-under-par 263.
Key details
The playoff became a test of accuracy, as neither could reach the 616-yard hole in two strokes. Fleetwood missed his birdie opportunity to the right, while Rai sank his putt.
Rai arrived in Abu Dhabi in 55th place in the Race to Dubai, and with this victory, he moved up to ninth place overall, securing his qualification for the DP World Tour Championship to be held next week in Dubai. Matthew Jordan, who tied for 15th, finished in 50th place.
Defending champion McIlroy will be seeking his seventh European number one title and benefited from his second-place finish in Abu Dhabi to extend his lead. Fellow Briton Marco Penge shot a 63 to tie for ninth, though he is now 767 points behind, with 2,000 points up for grabs for the winner in Dubai.
“I just tried to keep up the pace and make as many birdies as possible, knowing that, in addition to trying to win, I also wanted to give myself the biggest possible advantage heading into Dubai next week,” McIlroy said.
